- March 6, 2025
As the Florida Legislature wraps up its current session, several key measures are making their way through legislative bodies and to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk for approval. Following are summaries of some measures that have gained traction among lawmakers.
Pay raises for effective teachers
Scott signed a bill Sunday that will make teachers who are ranked as "effective" using a series of criteria elligible for a $2,500 pay raise, and those ranked as "highly effective" will be eligible for a $3,500 raise.
"Our teachers are some of the best in the nation, and they deserve to be rewarded for their great work," Scott said in a statement. This bill is a departure from Scott's original proposal of an across-the-board pay raise for teachers. Lawmakers have set aside $480 million for the raises, which will also be available to principals, assistant princiapls, librarians and guidance counselors.
The raises are part of an overall $1 billion increase for education that legislators set aside in their $74 billion budget.
Expediting the death penalty
A bill known as the Timely Justice Act, which would shorten the time frame for appeals and motions in cases of capital punishment, cleared both the House and the Senate and is awaiting Scott’s approval. The measure also allows the state to assign legal representation to inmates in the appellate courts.
The average time between a death penalty sentence and execution in Florida is 13 years, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. Supporters of the bill say it would facilitate faster justice, but critics question whether a focus on speed would result in wrongful executions. Since 1973, 24 Floridian inmates with death sentences have been exonerated, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
EBT cards at strip clubs
A bill that would and ban the use of electronics-benefits-transfer cards at strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos has passed both the House and the Senate and was sent to the governor’s office Monday. If passed, the law would take effect Oct. 1.
Texting while driving
Florida is one of five states that doesn’t ban texting while driving, but that may soon change. A bill that would prohibit using a cell phone to text while operating a vehicle cleared the Senate and is poised to be heard by the House this week. The bill still allows drivers to talk on their phones while driving, use them as GPS devices and text at red lights.
Cyberbullying
A bill that would crack down on Internet in public schools is making its way through the Legislature. The bill expands public schools’ ability to punish students for cyberbullying while at school, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event. It also says offsite harassment can be subject to discipline as well, “if the bullying substantially interferes with or limits the victim’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by a school or substantially disrupts the education process or orderly operation of a school.” The bill cleared both the House and Senate, and, if signed by the governor, would take effect July 1.
Animal cruelty
A bill that would allow a person who commits more than one act of cruelty against animals — whether it is multiple acts against one animal or habitual cruelty acts — to be charged separately for each act has cleared the House and Senate. If Scott signs it, the law will take effect July 1.
